Dear China, Maimai And Tingting,
I really love reading your column and I feel incomplete when I don’t get the chance to read the Philippine STAR on Fridays. It teaches me lessons on how to be a better person. Even if I can’t relate to some of the letters, I still copy them on my computer for future reference. I’m 19 years old, a student (on leave) in the country’s best university and a full-fledged gay! I really don’t have a problem because fortunately, my friends and relatives accept me for what I am. I am happily working around people now and I only wrote to request you to publish more letters about homosexuality. I am celebrating my birthday on June 29 and I wish to share to others who are just discovering their sexuality that there is a future even for gays.
MS. GAY PHILIPPINES
Belated happy birthday to you. You are lucky to have friends and family that support you. I believe though that success and happiness are not determined by sexual preferences. You can be straight and lazy, or gay but persevering. Sometimes, when odds are stacked up against a person, the more he is challenged to do better. You must be thankful that you were able to find your niche in society. In the end, aren’t we truly the architects of our own fate?
CHINA
Rest assured that we do answer all of the letters that come through our mail. I hope you did give thanks for your many blessings. You have friends and family that accept you for who you are and you are happy with your work. That’s plenty to be thankful for. However, I noticed that you stopped going to school. I don’t know what your reasons are but it would be nice if you will be able to continue your studies so that your future will even grow brighter. Happy birthday.
MAIMAI
For fairness’ sake, we answer the letters as they come by date, unless there is a noted sense of urgency. You could say, "First come, first served." Your letter is a good example. A few others sent letters before you and although we tried to have this printed before your birthday, it just didn’t happen that way. Nevertheless, Sisters Act, Mom Reacts wants to greet you belated birthday greetings. I agree with you completely. Life doesn’t stop when you’re gay. I’ve been around gays for a long time and they’ve proven to be most reliable. It just is probably difficult for some to come to terms with their sexuality because our society is quite judgmental. Congratulations to you for being able to hurdle that obstacle.
TINGTING